Ask MBA Crystal Ball

Sir, Nov 11th ko aapka naya GMAT score mila hoga. Tanik humka bhi bataaiye naa. It'll help us evaluate if we should replace Thunderbird with Harvard in your list.


The company sponsorship thing is good. Woohoo to the Usha Martin team for taking the initiative. We need more employers like that in India.

However, to keep this advice balanced (and for the sake of others in a similar situation), you'll need to think about several other aspects.

- If you have to come back to your current employer, will they have a role ready for you that matches your aspirations and your newly gained skills? Or would you come back to where you left off and continue the story from there?

- Are they talking about a 100% sponsorship or is it partial? Coz we are talking about a sponsorship range that could go from $20K to $100K depending on your GMAT score, your essays etc. The level of impact your sponsorship will have on the company's bottomline is right now uncertain. And businesses don't like uncertainty. So just check back with them.

- Aap hi pe itni meherbaani kyon? Won't it set a precedent for other high-potential guys in the company to line up outside the MD's office with their MBA plans presented neatly in powerpoints slides? Have there been other cases like this in the company?

- Will you be able to resist the nice offers that come your way once you get into b-school?

- Is there a legal bond (for how long) or are you just crossing your heart in front of two corporate witnesses and saying 'Sachchi bol raha hoon, mother-promise, main wapas aaoonga'?


I'm visualizing you right now on the KBC hot-seat (looks pretty un-ergonomically designed when you see it on TV) holding the cheque with your boss on the other high-seat, both of you are smiling nicely at the camera (there's an MCB commercial running just below the screen). Question is what happens after the kodak moment?
[switching to my deep baritone voice now] Deviyon aur sajjano...free money always looks good. But weigh the pros and cons before you reach out to grab the cheque.

Next time when you share such information on a public forum, ensure you take the employer name out. I'm guessing the whole HR dept from your company is waiting with bated breath to see how this discussion goes.
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Hello all,

Too many peoples talking about the crystal ball reports... Nobody talking about the interview prep..

Like my uncle Manikantan used to say...True gems are hidden in a thick gold chain...everybody wants gold.. Nobody pays attention for gems..

Myself Kamarajan, myself took the services of MBA Crystal ball for interview prep for a top tier B school (can I call it top tier saar?)

It gives me lot of pleasuring that despite myself, I managed to crack the interview.

I took a mock interview session organised by Sameer Kamat Saar. He was very very good. Gave great tips and a thorough session which was thought provoking and pushing my limits of myself. Before that there was a pre-session and a post session after the mock with a detailed reporting highlighting what I should not be staring at , why I should not pick my nose and other mundane things like strengthening my academic profile.

There were many curveballs thrown with the expertise of Anil Kumble (Sir) and I was thoroughly prepared for the final day..case studies and market sizing problems were also thrown in....And he paid for my glass of coffee graciously.. This simple act of generosity was quite touching feeling...

The generality of the concepts exposed to during the mock ensured I could use my learning for other interviews as well..

My actual interview went smoothly and all questions which came in the interview were familiar..

Again valuable guidance by Kamat Sir helped..

Yours respectfully,
Kamu

Kamu saar hellow!


Nice one, saar. Not sure how many peoples (including the gentlemains and the gentler-ladies) will appreciate the humour in this, but I had loads of fun reading it. I just hope junta doesn't think we wrote this ourselves for self-promotion On second thoughts, I think folks on this thread are mature enough to know better.


Saar, there is no option for you and me now, but to call it a top tier B-school and make the rest of the world realise this.


Is this the same Manikantan uncle who refused to sit next to Bappi Lahiri because his chains had only gold, no gems? Talk about sticking to principles.


Speaking of mundane things, how can you forget the 'what not to scratch part' saar? I truly think that's the key tip that got you in. I bet you've not come across any consultant websites that talk about this khufiya tip.


Crystal Ball, curveballs...I like the sound of that.


Touching, feeling, pleasuring etc are not part of the standard services we offer saar. But if you think you got it anyway, who are we to complain?


On a serious note, you've taken enormous pains to get to where you are. I think you truly deserve your success. Have a great time in class. Hum tuchh praaniyon ko mat bhoolna.

For the others reading this and scratching their heads, our friend's articulation skills (written and verbal) are top-notch. He's just having fun on this post and we love that coz we do it as well.

Great to see folks from this forum getting into top schools and coming back to share their experience. Hope the MCB tribe grows.
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Hi all,

On a serious note, I highly recommend Sameer's interview prep services. I had a mock interview organised and it gave me a tremendous confidence boost to crack my actual interview. Also I was familiar with almost all questions as Sameer had addressed them in the mocks.

- He delves into the grey areas of your profile very well and really picks out the minutiae which turn out to have significant impact
- Customization depending on your school. Its up to you if you want a generic prep or a specific prep
- gives you some creative inputs which are actually useful during your interview to pitch
- The curve-balls he throws at you make it a high pressure interview in parts, despite the great lengths Sameer goes to make you feel comfortable. Its good to be prepared for all varieties of questions
- he throws in some case study problems etc.

After the process, he sends a detailed report covering everything highs and lows on your career, academics and even language accent etc. It is affordable and the turnaround time is super quick.

Cheers.

Hi Sameer, request you to please evaluate my profile and help me in shortlisting the b-schools. Here goes my profile:

GMAT: 720
UG: B.Tech. from IIT Bombay (7.3/10)
Work Ex: 4.25 years by the time I join the B-school (i.e. fall of 2012)
Work Profile: Consultant in Climate Change (carbon credits, sustainability strategy sort of stuff). Have worked in 2 of the Big 4 accounting firms.
Extra Currics: Very good till college. Held many positions of responsibility and also took part in sports, dramatics etc.

My targets schools are:

- ISB
- INSEAD
- IE Spain
- Top US b-schools (but confused in shortlisting them)

I would request you to please evaluate my profile and suggest my chances in the 3 target schools. Also please help me in identifying my target US b-schools. Any other comments and suggestion would be highly appreciated.

Thanks a lot

Regards

Hey, find my comments and observations inline:

GMAT: 720
UG: B.Tech. from IIT Bombay (7.3/10)
Work Ex: 4.25 years by the time I join the B-school (i.e. fall of 2012)
Work Profile: Consultant in Climate Change (carbon credits, sustainability strategy sort of stuff). Have worked in 2 of the Big 4 accounting firms.
Extra Currics: Very good till college. Held many positions of responsibility and also took part in sports, dramatics etc.

Already interested in the profile. Of-course, the IIT brand name helps; plus the big 4 brand name's a huge plue. So you mean to say you've been doing climate change for 4+ years? or was that one of the projects? In any case, depending on what your post-MBA aspirations are, all these would work in your favor.

Also important to understand if there are some ECs you can talk, post college.

My targets schools are:

- ISB
- INSEAD
- IE Spain
- Top US b-schools (but confused in shortlisting them)

I would request you to please evaluate my profile and suggest my chances in the 3 target schools. Also please help me in identifying my target US b-schools. Any other comments and suggestion would be highly appreciated.

Did you get a chance to work on intl. projects? If yes, chances could be bright at INSEAD and IE to an extent. ISB, provided you write essays that differentiate you from the other IITian herd, you should be good. For US, I would suggest thinking about a few schools in Top 20 and a few safe ones - ofcourse ideal to match ur profile and expectations with schools.

Cheers!



Thanks a lot

Regards
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Hi Sameer,

Many thanks for your comments. Just to clarify a bit more, I have handled more than 20 projects related to carbon credits. So I am a consultant in climate change advisory.

I have not done any international projects because the kind of projects I do are applicable for developing countries and for which India and China are the leaders. So all my projects have been in India.

By the way, I did my internship for 2.5 months duration from a well known Institute of Sweden. During that time I traveled around Europe and hence I can present my case in terms of dealing with different cultures. Could this be regarded as sufficient to make stories for applying to INSEAD or IE Spain.

I have not been involved in any extra currics post college. But yes I was involved in organizing an event for the company.

Finally regarding my post mba aspirations, I want to remain in consulting but want to reach a point where strategy consulting meets climate change advisory, a scenario that is bound to come into picture in a big way in the years to come.

Request your comments on the above.

Thanks a lot !!

Hi Amit,

Overall, I like what I see. But I'm struggling a little bit while connecting the dots. Maybe coz I don't have the entire picture yet. So help me out with this.

The story goes from an NGO to IT. And I see that you've presented education as the connecting link. And across your extra-curriculars, education is again the dominant theme. Acads looking good and we are all enjoying the ride so far, with a few chutput queries (yeh 'WW' kya hai?).

Then the short term goal moves to a completely different track. And then with the Social Entrepreneurship plans in education, it all comes back again. When you say product management, what exactly do you have in mind?

I think you could be a competitive candidate and possibly you have it all clear in your mind. Ensure that this clarity comes across in your application.
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Hi Sameer,
Please mera profile bhi evaluate kar do...Thank you..

Chaitanya also used the same adjective. Achanak se, why do I sense so much patriotism in the air?


Not bad Sunnybhai.


Early planner. Nice.


Is there a reason you didn't get involved (too focussed on studies, work etc) or were you just disinterested? The key reason they ask for extracurriculars is to see other dimensions of your profile.

If you can show them that your classmates will not get bored with you in the first week as you have nothing else to talk about, then mention those facets. Else for the sake of yourself more than your classmates, discover that life has more to offer than just work and studies.


Judging by the characters in your pseudonym, I'd recommend getting started on Kalaripayattu. It'll make you agile and also help you fight off bullies who might try to mess around with you in the first week of class.

Just kidding sir. No one can possibly tell you what's right for you to get into. Maybe it's music, maybe it's sports, maybe it's some niche thing that only you are aware of (snail farming?). Pick up something, devote some time to it each week. Anything that makes you feel happy. And don't do it for Bschool. By the time you are ready to fill in your apps, if there is something you think that's worth mentioning, do so. Nahi toh don't worry too much about it.


Take all the schools in your shortlist and aim to score higher than the median of the toughest school in there.


You got a first class in Engineering. Aur woh bhi from a premier college. Not sure why you think that's not good.


Call up these guys that go by the acronym of MCB. Strange name, but good guys. They might be able to help you out when you are ready.
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Hi Shyamal,

So you liked Guzaarish, huh? Some of my colleagues saw it as well and said they came out crying. I felt only Himesh Reshammiya movies had that impact on people. Pleasantly surprised to see Sanjay Leela Bhansali still retains his touch.


The GMAT could be an area to address. But your acads are good.


Why didn't you join?


Interesting. I'll tell you why towards the end.


For MIT and ISB, it'll help if you can take your GMAT higher. You have a year for it. So think about how you want to use it.

Btw, we got an energy management professional into a top school this year. His knowledge about the industry was impeccable and he was able to project his potential beyond his current role. So if you are able to present your story the way he did I think Adcoms will take you seriously.

Good luck.
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Level playing field for MBA applicants from India

Part 1 | Part 2

Several people have asked us about the MCB’s history and origins. Two action packed posts to take you down memory lane.

Emotional mapping to help you navigate the roller coaster journey across the two articles:

Frustration (pre-MBA story) --> Inspiration (the Why MCB story) --> Disappointment (missed media exposure) --> Optimism (Indian stories need a happy ending, right?)

Would love to hear your thoughts. Post them as comments on the blog.
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Hi Sameer!!!
I am still unclear about my chances...
I would dearly want to get into UT,Austin...
You said that I have one more year to improve on my GMAT score.but I can't see possibility of my retaking GMAT as I want to start MBA from September-2011.
I have not yet booked a date for TOEFL....
Please comment!!!!

Thanks Sameer for your reply.
I am currently in product management and plan to stay in prod management only immediately after MBA. Do you see this inconsistent?

Please let me know about my chances in top programs...(your rough take though its not that straight forward )

BTw, WW is world wide

Thanks and Regds,
Amit

Hi Sameer,

Let me briefly post my profile here:

GMAT: 740
GPA: 3.93 / 5
XII : 83 %
X : 89.2 %

Prefect for 3 years in school. Member of both school and college cricket & soccer teams. Additionally, member in various groups like festival co- ordination committee, magazine committee etc. and also one of the founders of the departmental wall magazine committee in college.

Drawback(s): 1. Typical profile wrt being an Indian, IT , male.
2. Will have around 15 months professional work ex. by August 2011.

Additionally, working on coveted applications, which are directly relevant to MBA, called Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) apps. Have also been extensively involved with 2 NGOs as a voluntary service provider.


Reco letters: One each from my Project Lead (professional), Departmental HOD(acads) and Manager of NGO(extracurricular).

Target Schools for fall 2011: 1. Terry College of Business.
2. Georgia Institute of Technology.





Can you please provide a frank opinion as to whether i have a realistic chance of making it this year? I have already prepared the essays and just waiting for my TOEFL score. So, I have just 2 weeks before I submit the final apps.

Dear Experts,

A kind request to evaluate my profile:

I am an architect from India, aiming for a GMAT score of 700-720
Academics:
10th: 71 %
12th: 72%
Bachelor in Architecture from IIT, CGPA: 6.22 on a scale of 10, 2009 Graduate

Cleared IIT Jee, the most competitive examination in India, i was in top 1%

(Academics are not good due to my involvement in various extra curricular activies.)

Work Experience:
I am working as an Architect in DAR Group.

Total experience: 39 months (by the time of joining)

Relocated to Cairo, Egypt for 3 months for an important project.

Was Project architect of the world's largest women's university which is coming up in Saudi Arabia.

Project architect of Angola's president Villa and Angola's National Assembly building.

I am a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, US Green Building Council) accredited professional.

Worked on various LEED Certified Green Buildings also some big overseas projects mostly in Asia, Africa & Middle East.

Also rated as the fastest CAD professional in the company.

Extra Curricular Activities:
A vocalist, and used to perform in various college events.

Member of National Service Scheme for One year, Involved in teaching slums's children (underprevelaged), collecting funds for deaf and dump school, Organizing AIDS awareness workshops etc

Was Treasurer of IIT Technical Festival, Responsible for sponsorship procurement, Organized various events, workshops, etc

Under my leadership, my college won 2nd runner up, where more than 200 colleges from Asia-pacific participates, it was an architectural documentation competition.

Selected for Summer Undergraduate Research Award in 2006, research title was "Fuzzy Decision Making for selection of Building Material."

Winner of the shelter design competition using bamboo (Cheapest and fastest construction) for Tsunami affected people in India, A competition organized by goverment of India.
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Please guide me, which college should i target ?

Dear Sachin, find my comments:

Dear Experts,

Wow, didnt know when we became that

A kind request to evaluate my profile:

I am an architect from India, aiming for a GMAT score of 700-720
Academics:
10th: 71 %
12th: 72%
Bachelor in Architecture from IIT, CGPA: 6.22 on a scale of 10, 2009 Graduate
Very interesting profile already. Ofcourse, when you are aiming, always better to aim higher. Why not aim for 750+
Cleared IIT Jee, the most competitive examination in India, i was in top 1%

(Academics are not good due to my involvement in various extra curricular activies.)

This can be managed, also considering u've had some 3+ yrs of work ex.

Work Experience:
I am working as an Architect in DAR Group.

Total experience: 39 months (by the time of joining)

Relocated to Cairo, Egypt for 3 months for an important project.

Was Project architect of the world's largest women's university which is coming up in Saudi Arabia.

Project architect of Angola's president Villa and Angola's National Assembly building.

I am a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, US Green Building Council) accredited professional.

Worked on various LEED Certified Green Buildings also some big overseas projects mostly in Asia, Africa & Middle East.

Also rated as the fastest CAD professional in the company.

Extra Curricular Activities:
A vocalist, and used to perform in various college events.

Member of National Service Scheme for One year, Involved in teaching slums's children (underprevelaged), collecting funds for deaf and dump school, Organizing AIDS awareness workshops etc

Was Treasurer of IIT Technical Festival, Responsible for sponsorship procurement, Organized various events, workshops, etc

Under my leadership, my college won 2nd runner up, where more than 200 colleges from Asia-pacific participates, it was an architectural documentation competition.

Selected for Summer Undergraduate Research Award in 2006, research title was "Fuzzy Decision Making for selection of Building Material."

Winner of the shelter design competition using bamboo (Cheapest and fastest construction) for Tsunami affected people in India, A competition organized by goverment of India.
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Please guide me, which college should i target ?
I think it completely depends on what you want to do after MBA and the basic motivation behind doing an MBA. If u've got that out of the way, and a good GMAT, i think you can give a shot at the best colleges. Then ofcourse, always think about your school selection list in various categories to maximise chances of selection!
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Hi Sameer,
it would be really great if you can evaluate my profile.

GMAT : 700 (Q50, V35, AWA 5.0)
Nationality: Indian
I have no plans to take GMAT again.

Work Experience:
Duration: 3 years by May 2011
Assistant Manager in R & D Division of Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., India's largest automobile company
- coordinate with vehicle design engineers to plan, schedule and execute validation testing of vehicles under development; give feedback to design teams for improving product durability and reliability
- tendering, negotiation and procurement of lab equipments; this involves dealing with foreign-national suppliers
- Other activities: organized Out-bound Team Building Program for 30 individuals, was instrumental in saving USD 27500 by spearheading Suzuki Global Cost Reduction Initiative in my department, designed a breakthrough fixture for suspension system testing, won several awards in company-wide competitions etc.
- Teach underprivileged children on weekends as a part of company CSR initiative.

[Selling Point: Frugal approach to product development, melange of Japanese and Indian work culture]


Education:
Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Production and Industrial Engineering, Aggregate score: 70/100
from Delhi College of Engineering, one of the premiere engineering colleges in India.

Extracurriculars:
- Led an 11 member team to design and fabricate a high mileage concept car which won the award for the ‘Best Design Proposal’ at the SAE Supermileage Competition held at Marshall, MI, USA in June 2007
- Chairman, ‘Society of Automotive Engineers - DCE Collegiate Club’
- Technical Head of the annual national level students’ Technical Meet (a four day event)
- Project Coordinator, Aashayein – ‘the ray of hope’, a project of Association for India’s Development (AID) Delhi Chapter to teach children of an underprivileged locality (2007-08)

Hobbies and Interests:
- Travelling, mountain trekking (scaled the Dharwa Pass, 4130 m, on Himalayas) , swimming
- Nature conservation (member of Delhi Greens), photography
- Writing, directing and acting in plays; Watching theatre
- Playing soccer, table-tennis and online chess
- Reading books on wide range of subjects


Career Goals:
Short Term:
Consulting, preferably in Product Life-cycle Management
(my education in Production and Industrial Engineering, and my work experience in Product Development, I believe, go well with this career path.)
Long Term:
Help build thriving enterprises and industries in emerging markets

Choice of B-Schools:
I am looking for a program that is a mix of case based and experimental learning. I don't find lecture based teaching to be appealing. I guess a general management program will be right fit for my career aspirations.
I have already applied to ISB and Haas.
Planning to apply to Ross, Kellogs and Darden in R2.

Questions:
Am I sensible in my choice of B-schools? What else would you suggest?
Any comments on how can I make my application stronger, because I don't have strong leadership experience in my current organization?

Why you should re-evaluate your Round 2 MBA application strategy

As the dust settles from the Round 1 MBA application rounds, there’s good news for some and there’s additional work to be done for the others. A few questions that applicants ask: Is it worthwhile applying to Round 2? Or am I doomed coz I didn’t make it through in Round 1? What should my MBA application strategy be? Read more...
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